The site was first excavated in 1868 by Charles Warren, while C.R. Conder described the remains in 1874. William F. Albright led his first excavation from 1922 to 1923, and returned for a second season in 1923. His work was published in 1960. P.W. Lapp conducted a six-week salvage excavation in 1964.

The Turning Out of the Concubine of Gibeah, and the Battle of Gibeah - (Israelite Civil War) - Judges 19-21

Israel’s first king, King Saul, reigned from Gibeah for 38 years - 1 Samuel 8-31

Prophetic mention during the period of the Divided Kingdom - Hosea 5:8, 9:9, 10:9; Isaiah 10:29

The 10th Roman Legion camped here in their assault on Jerusalem in 70 A.D. - Josephus, War of the Jews

Modern History

King Hussein of Jordan began construction on his West Bank palace in Tel el-Ful, but construction was halted when the Six-Day War broke out. Since Israel won the war King Hussein's palace was never finished and now all that remains is the skeleton of the building.